Vermanes Garden Retreat by Innorental

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to Vermanes Garden Retreat on Krišjāņa Barona street, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place. But you know what? Sometimes the best surprises come in understated packages. The building itself has that classic Riga charm – you’re right in the heart of the Art Nouveau district, which means you’re literally surrounded by some of the most gorgeous architecture in the Baltics. I mean, just stepping out the front door feels like walking through an open-air museum.

What really got me was how they’ve managed to create this little oasis feeling despite being smack in the center of things. The “garden” part of the name isn’t just marketing fluff – there’s actually greenery that makes you forget you’re on one of the busier streets in central Riga. And speaking of Krišjāņa Barona street, you’re maybe a three-minute walk from Vermanes Park (hence the name, obviously), which is perfect for morning jogs or just escaping the city buzz. The location is honestly pretty brilliant – close enough to Old Town that you can easily walk there, but far enough that you’re not dealing with the tourist crowds and late-night noise from the bars.

Inside, it’s clear that Innorental knows what they’re doing. The rooms aren’t fancy, but they’re thoughtfully put together – good lighting, decent WiFi (actually decent, not hotel-decent), and beds that don’t feel like cardboard. I stayed during shoulder season in October, and the heating worked perfectly, which… well, anyone who’s spent autumn in Latvia knows that’s not always a given. The staff genuinely seemed to care about making sure everything worked smoothly, and check-in was refreshingly straightforward. No upselling, no complicated explanations – just “here’s your key, here’s what you need to know.”

What I really appreciated were the little details that show someone’s actually thinking about the guest experience. Like, there’s proper blackout curtains (crucial during those bright Baltic summer nights), and the bathrooms have actual water pressure. The breakfast setup is simple but covers the basics well – and honestly, with Riga’s café scene right outside your door, you’re probably going to want to explore anyway. You’re literally around the corner from some fantastic local spots that most tourists never find.

The only minor thing I’d mention is that being on Krišjāņa Barona means you’ll hear some street noise during the day, but it quiets down significantly in the evenings. And parking – well, it’s city center, so you’ll want to use the public parking areas nearby rather than trying to find street spots. But if you’re planning to explore Riga properly, you won’t need a car anyway. Everything worth seeing is either walkable or a quick tram ride away.

Bottom line: this place punches way above its weight class. It’s got that sweet spot of being well-located, well-run, and well-priced without trying to be something it’s not. If you want to actually experience Riga rather than just stay somewhere generic, Vermanes Garden Retreat gets it right.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $98. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities